Lexus GX

Lexus GX
The is a mid-size luxury SUV sold in North American and Eurasian markets by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota. The GX is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, from which it derives its off-road capability. Lexus introduced the first generation, known as the GX 470 in 2002, and subsequently became the third SUV to enter the Lexus lineup. A full-time four-wheel drive system is standard with low-range gearing. The 4.7-liter V8 engine in the GX 470 was the same as used on the larger LX 470. The firm next introduced the second-generation model in 2009, badged GX 460 to reflect the switch to a 4.6-liter V8 engine. Lexus later released a lower displacement GX 400 in 2012 for the Chinese market, with a 4.0-liter V6 engine.
, the GX is positioned between the larger Lexus LX and smaller Lexus RX. Though it is thought the GX has always been larger than the RX, from 2015 to 2022, the RX is slightly longer and slightly wider than the GX and therefore the GX was considered smaller. All GX production has occurred at the Tahara plant in Japan, alongside the Land Cruiser Prado and the export-minded Toyota 4Runner.
Some countries classify the GX as a full-size vehicle (eg Australia) while some classify it as a mid-size vehicle (eg US ), depending on local regulations.
First generation (J120; 2002)
Lexus introduced the GX 470 at the North American International Auto Show in January 2002 as a 2003 model, with sales commencing in November 2002. The GX development program began in 1999 following the J120 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in 1997, with design work by Shoichi Fujiyoshi concluding in the first half of 2000. The suspension shared its layout with the Toyota 4Runner equipped with the rear air suspension, while adding Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC). AVS could adjust damper firmness continuously while DAC modulated descents down slopes. Power came from a 4.7-liter, 32-valve, four-cam 2UZ-FE V8 engine originally rated at at 4,800 rpm and of torque at 3,400 rpm. Towing capacity was rated at for the 2003 model year. Midway through the 2004 model year, the GX received an upgraded towing capacity of with the addition of a much stronger frame-bolted tubular hitch. Ground clearance measured , with an approach angle of 30° and a departure angle of 29° raised (25° normal). The GX 470 carried a .
The interior came equipped with two rows of seating, while an optional third row allowed up to eight passengers to be carried. However, the folding third row was tight with only of legroom. A Mark Levinson audio system along with a Rear Seat Entertainment System were available as options. A side-opening rear tailgate was standard.
In 2003, for the 2004 model year, the GX 470's transmission was upgraded to a sealed unit with no dipstick. An optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) became available as a late-year addition. KDSS freed and adjusted the vehicle's stabilizer bars for greater articulation allowing the wheels to move with less restriction over uneven terrain, and used front and rear hydraulic pressure-sensing valves and larger stabilizer bars to reduce body roll during on-road conditions. Safety upgrades for 2004 included a roll-sensing feature for the side curtain airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and an optional rear backup camera system.
In 2004, for the 2005 model year, the GX 470's engine gained with the addition of VVT-i for a total of . This allowed the SUV to be certified as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) in the U.S. Other upgrades included an enhanced navigation system, Bluetooth compatibility, and more voice commands. A Sport model joined the lineup, including the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System and different styling such as smoked bezel headlamps, added chrome trim, and black birdseye maple wood.
In 2005, for the 2006 model year, changes in SAE engine testing procedures resulted in a slight drop in the amount of stated power for the V8 to , and Lexus Link telematics was offered in North America. For 2007, the GX 470 was largely unchanged, with upgrades for cabin electronics including a new generation navigation system, auxiliary input jack for devices like an iPod, DVD video playback when parked, and larger optional rear entertainment video screen.
Finally, in 2007, for the 2008 model year, the GX 470 received styling updates, including a dark metallic grille, liquid graphite wheels, added exterior and interior chrome, revised turn signal lights, and added wood and body color options.
The Lexus GX has won various awards including "Four Wheeler of the Year" in 2003 and 2004 from Four Wheeler Magazine, and Automobile Magazine All-Star for 2003 in the Mid-Size Sport-Utility category. J.D. Power and Associates named the GX 470 the highest ranked premium luxury SUV in initial quality in 2005, and Kelley Blue Book gave the GX 470 its Best Resale Value Award in 2006.
Second generation (J150; 2009)
The GX 460 debuted in China at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in November 2009. The redesigned model continued with body-on-frame construction, full-time four-wheel drive, an electronically controlled hi-lo transfer case, and a Torsen center locking differential. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) became standard. Power came from a new 4.6-liter 1UR-FE V8 engine producing and of torque, mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy was improved over the prior generation, while maximum towing capacity was . The drag coefficient was reduced to . The rear wiper was hidden under the rear spoiler, and while the tailgate remained side-opening, a flip-up glass panel was added.
The interior added a power-folding, two-passenger third row which folded flat, allowing capacity for up to seven passengers, with the second row sliding or tilting for third-row access. Because the third row was no longer removable and used additional space, cargo capacity declined. A toggle switch replaced the transfer case's floor-mounted shift lever, and the gauge cluster added a steering wheel angle display for off-road situations. Similar to before, a Mark Levinson sound system and two-display Rear Seat Entertainment System (RSES) were optional, while three-zone climate control, semi-aniline leather, and heated second-row seats and steering wheel were new options.
Like its predecessor, Rear Adjustable Height Control (AHC) air suspension was offered on the GX 460 with an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC). Additional electronic aids included the LX 570's Crawl Control system, Downhill Assist Control (DAC), and Active Traction Control (A-TRAC). The Torsen differential distributed a variable torque split when left unlocked, including a 40:60 (front: rear) ratio under normal driving conditions, a 30:70 ratio during cornering, and a 50:50 ratio when rear-wheel slippage was detected.
Added safety features included whiplash-reducing active headrests and ten airbags, including front knee airbags and rear side torso airbags. New safety options include a Pre-Collision System, Driver Monitoring System, lane departure warning system, and Lexus Enform with Safety Connect telematics. Optional cameras located at the rear door, rear-view mirror, and passenger-side mirror provided views of the vehicle's sides. Low-beam HID headlamp projectors were offered with an Intelligent High Beam feature which automatically dimmed the high beams depending on traffic conditions and an Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) that swiveled the headlamps in corners.
On May 28, 2012, Lexus China announced the market launch of the GX 400, which replaces the GX 460 in China. The engine option is now changed to the 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6 engine that outputs combined with a five-speed automatic transmission. Due to the power reduction, it takes 9.8 seconds for the GX 400 to accelerate from . Compared with the outgoing GX 460, most standard equipment on GX 400 remains the same. However, in November 2017, the GX 400 was discontinued in Chinese markets.
On April 13, 2010, Consumer Reports in the United States urged customers not to buy the 2010 model year GX 460, giving it a "Don't buy, Safety Risk" label, its first such vehicle rating since 2001, following the results of a "lift-off oversteer" emergency test. This label was lifted on May 7, 2010. In the high-speed test, the SUV was quickly turned with no pedal input, causing a sideways slide before the vehicle stability control (VSC) initiated a full stop. Consumer Reports said that the VSC acted too slowly, and if a wheel hit a curb or slid off the pavement, a rollover accident could occur. The shared platform Toyota 4Runner passed the test, and while Consumer Reports said it knew of no actual incidents, it recommended a software fix. The same day, vehicle maker Toyota expressed concern, thanked the magazine, and temporarily suspended GX 460 sales. While noting that the SUV met all U.S. federal requirements, on April 16 Toyota confirmed that its testing had duplicated the results.
On April 19, 2010, a voluntary recall of the GX 460 was issued, along with the left-hand-drive Land Cruiser Prado, for a software update to fix the VSC response. With the software update in place, sales resumed on April 29. Vehicle stability control had been criticized by Wheels magazine for slow response speed on such models as the Toyota Kluger (known as the Highlander in North America), while Drive noted that VSC had also been said to intervene too soon. The Wall Street Journal pointed the lack of VSC a decade ago.
In September 2013, the GX received a first facelift with the Lexus spindle grille design, new LED headlamps, and LED daytime running lights standard; LED fog lamps are optional. In the US pricing has been reduced by $4,750.
Yearly changes
2016, for the 2017 model year: the Lexus GX added second-row captain chairs with the luxury package.
2019, for the 2020 model year: the GX received a second facelift with a redesigned, more angular spindle grille along with new triple-beam LED headlamps. An Off-Road package is also new, which consists of a 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor and Multi-Terrain Monitor with 4 Cameras, a transmission cooler, a fuel-tank protector along with Lexus' own Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. Additionally, the interior gains new trim options, including a Rioja Red interior color, and safety features part of Safety System+ are now standard on all models.
2021, for the 2022 model year: the GX received some minor changes, one of which included a new infotainment system with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a redesigned dashboard. The Black Line Edition cosmetic package was introduced but could not be built with specific luxury features such as the Mark Levinson audio system.
2022, for the 2023 model year: Eminent white pearl was introduced as a new exterior color for the GX460.
Engines
Third generation (J250; 2023)
The third generation GX 550 was revealed in prototype form on 8 June 2023. It has a boxier design than the previous generation and is built on the GA-F platform, shared with the J250 Land Cruiser Prado. Production is expected to start in November 2023.
The GX 550 will be available in six grades: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, and the newly-added Overtrail and Overtrail+ off-road oriented models. The new Overtrail grade comes with standard 33-inch All-Terrain tires and 18-inch wheels. All models will feature the V35A-FTS 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 which produces and of torque. The GX 550 has a towing capacity of up to . Lexus announced a hybrid powertrain is to come later. The GX 550 comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 and Lexus Interface with 14-inch multimedia touchscreen.
The third generation GX is noticeably larger than the previous generation, with width increasing by (overtrail by ), wheelbase increasing by , and length increasing by .
Sales
Sales data for the Lexus GX are as follows, sourced from manufacturer yearly data:
References
External links
GX
Luxury sport utility vehicles
Mid-size sport utility vehicles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Cars introduced in 2002
2000s cars
2010s cars
2020s cars
Hybrid sport utility vehicles
Partial zero-emissions vehicles